[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 1, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39078-39084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-16583]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL -7521-3]


Solicitation Notice; Children's Environmental Health Protection 
State Level Collaboration to Address Childhood Asthma Initiative, 
Fiscal Year 2003--USEPA-AO-OCHP-03-001

    Fiscal Year 2003, Environmental Protection Agency, deadline for 
letter of intent, August 11, 2003; http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/grants.htm.

Contents

Section I--Overview
Section II--Dates and Deadlines
Section III--Addresses for Delivering Letters of Intent and 
Proposals
Section IV--Eligible Applicants and Activities
Section V--Funding Priorities
Section VI--Application Process
Section VII--Requirements for Letters of Intent and Full Proposals
Section VIII--Review and Selection Process
Section IX--Grantee Responsibilities
Section X--Other Information and Shipping
Attachment: Sample Letter of Intent Summary Sheet

Section I. Overview

A. Summary

    This action known as the Solicitation Notice for the Children's 
Environmental Health Protection State Level Collaboration to Address 
Childhood Asthma Initiative, Fiscal Year 2003 announces the 
availability of funds from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 
Office of Children's Health Protection (OCHP), to support the efforts 
of state environment and health agencies together to minimize the 
environmental factors that exacerbate asthma symptoms in children.

B. Authorities

    Section 103 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) authorizes EPA's 
Administrator to conduct and promote the coordination and acceleration 
of research, investigations, experiments, demonstrations, surveys and 
studies relating to the causes, effects (including health and welfare 
effects), extent, prevention, and control of air pollution by making 
grants to air pollution control agencies, to other public or nonprofit 
private agencies, institutions, and organizations for purposes stated 
in section 103(a)(1) http://www.epa.gov/oar/caa/caa103.txt.
    The goal of the Children's Environmental Health Protection program 
(hereinafter ``the Initiative'') is to minimize and/or eliminate 
children's exposure to environmental health threats-- recognizing 
children's special vulnerability to these threats and recognizing the 
possibility of preventable childhood exposures leading to lifelong, 
irreversible consequences. This program is included within the 
Catalogue for Domestic Assistance (CFDA) listing number: 66.609 found 
at http://www.cfda.gov. This funding initiative will support planning 
and/or demonstration projects related specifically to the environmental 
triggers of childhood asthma.

C. Background

    In recent years, EPA's Office of Children's Health Protection has 
encouraged and supported collaboration between state level health and 
environment agencies toward the end of building state capacity to 
combat childhood asthma.
    Since the summer of 2001, the Environmental Council of the States 
(ECOS) has collaborated with the Association of State and Territorial 
Health Officials (ASTHO) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
to design a flexible template for state level strategies and actions to 
minimize environmental factors that contribute to asthma in children.
    This focus on environmental factors complements the on-going 
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) state asthma program which recognizes 
the need to address environmental factors but does not explicitly 
provide guidance or support for this aspect of disease prevention and 
control. This action may also complement Housing and Urban 
Development's (HUD) Healthy Homes Initiative, which supports effective 
home assessment and intervention programs as well as public education.
    Throughout 2002, ECOS, ASTHO, and EPA hosted a series of four 
workshops to refine the details of a cooperative approach in four 
specific areas: Data, environmental factors in homes, environmental 
factors in schools and child care facilities, and outdoor environmental 
factors.
    The eligible funding categories and guiding principles of this 
Request for Applications are a reflection of the draft action agenda, 
Catching Your Breath, http://www.astho.org/pubs/CatchingYourBreathReport.pdf that resulted from this intensive 
collaborative visioning process.

D. Proposal Categories

    The Initiative plans to award assistance agreements (grants and 
cooperative agreements) to state health and environment agencies and/or 
regional air authorities with formal delegated authorities with a 
project

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period not to exceed 24 months in two main categories:

(1) Program planning projects;
(2) Program demonstration projects.

    The specific funding priorities for each category are described in 
detail below.

E. Dollar Limits per Proposal

    For this competition, the Initiative anticipates making available 
approximately $360,000 under this solicitation to fund approximately 9 
to 12 awards. The dollar amount of each award will vary depending upon 
Initiative priorities, proposal quality and level of activity, and 
resource availability. Proposals for less than $20,000 or greater than 
$50,000 will not be considered. EPA reserves the right to reject all 
proposals and make no awards.
    Projects not selected for award under this solicitation will be 
retained on file and made available to other EPA offices for potential 
funding for a period of one year from the date of receipt by EPA. This 
solicitation notice contains all the information and forms necessary to 
prepare a Letter of Intent. Should your Letter of Intent be approved, 
this solicitation package directs you to web and mailed sources of the 
application kit for a Full Proposal. If your Full Proposal is selected 
for possible award, your EPA Regional Office will supply you with 
additional Federal forms needed to process your Full Proposal for 
award.

Section II. Dates and Deadlines

F. Dates and Deadlines

    (1) The Initiative Solicitation will be issued on or about July 11, 
2003.
    (2) Letters of Intent are due to EPA via e-mail on or before August 
11, 2003.
    (3) Confirmation of Receipt of the e-mailed Letter of Intent will 
be issued not more than 7 business days after receipt by the Agency. 
Applicant should follow-up by phone immediately to 202-564-2646 if 
acknowledgement from EPA is not received within this time period.
    (4) Applicants submitting a Letter of Intent will be notified via 
e-mail on or before August 22, 2003 if they are deemed eligible to 
participate in the Pre-application Assistance Call and to submit a Full 
Proposal.
    (5) Pre-application Assistance Call will be held on September 3, 
2003. Applicants with accepted Letters of Intent who expressed an 
interest in participating in the Pre-application Assistance Call will 
be advised via e-mail of the call-in number.
    (6) Due Date--October 6, 2003, for Full Proposals from invited 
eligible applicants to be delivered to the courier for shipment or 
postmarked (see note below re: postal mailing. Full Proposals shipped 
or mailed after this date will not be considered for funding under this 
solicitation.
    (7) Applicants will receive an e-mail notification of receipt of 
the Full Proposal within one month of receipt by the Agency.
    (8) Selected projects will be announced on or around December 1, 
2003.
    (9) Start Date for Projects--February 1, 2004, is the earliest 
start date that applicants should plan on and enter on their 
application forms and time lines. Grant recipients may begin incurring 
allowable costs on the start date identified in the EPA grant award 
agreement. Budget periods may run from 18-24 months.
    (10) Rejection Letters--Rejection Letters are usually sent within 6 
months after submission of the Full Proposal.

Section III. Addresses for Delivering Letters of Intent and Full 
Proposals

G. Letters of Intent

    Letters of Intent should have an e-mail subject line starting with 
Letter of Intent: followed by your Project Title. The e-mail should be 
sent to [email protected].

H. Full Proposals if Invited by EPA

    Full Proposals If Invited By EPA--Due to on-going mail delays in 
the Washington, DC area, applicants who are invited to submit a Full 
Proposal are strongly encouraged to send original Full Proposals signed 
by an authorized representative of their state organization by way of a 
private shipping company (e.g., Federal Express, UPS, DHL, or courier) 
to the attention of: Bettina Fletcher, U.S. EPA, Office of Children's 
Health Protection, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW., Mail Code 1107A, Room 
2512 Ariel Rios North, Washington, DC 20004.
    If Full Proposals are mailed, send them to: Bettina Fletcher, U.S. 
EPA, Office of Children's Health Protection, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, 
NW., Mail Code 1107A, Room 2512 Ariel Rios North, Washington, DC 20460.

Section IV. Eligible Applicants and Activities

I. Eligible Applicants

    To be eligible to compete for these assistance funds, applicants 
must:
    (1) Meet standards for eligibility described in section 103(b)(3) 
of the CAA (http://www.epa.gov/oar/caa/caa103.txt).
    (2) Represent one of the states from EPA Regions 2 through 10. 
States from EPA's Region 1 (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, and VT) may not apply 
under this grant. Assistance programs in this area for these states 
were addressed through a different solicitation. See note below for the 
related Region 1 grant for which these states were eligible.
    (3) Adhere to the provisions of The Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs'' (SPOC List) applies. 
See http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html for further 
information.
    (4) Demonstrate that you are a state health, or environment or a 
regional air authority with formal delegated authority. While only 
these agencies may be the direct recipients and lead project 
administrators of the project, other partners are eligible for 
compensation through sub-contracting agreement(s) between the lead 
agency and collaborating partners as long as the state agency maintains 
a substantive role in the project.
    Projects that include and demonstrate a substantive and active 
collaboration between a state health agency and a state environment 
agency will be evaluated more favorably. (See selection criteria 
below). This collaboration could be reflected in activities such as:
    (a) Both agencies dedicating personnel;
    (b) Agencies co-sponsoring crucial meetings; or
    (c) Both agencies being involved in peer reviews of documents and/
or products.

J. Exceptions

    (1) Special Note to EPA Region 1 States:
    The EPA Region 1 states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New 
Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont are expressly excluded from this 
funding Initiative. Funding was available directly from the Region 1 
Office through a different solicitation known as the Healthy 
Communities Grant Program to support New England states' efforts in the 
arena of childhood asthma and related community-based endeavors. See 
http://www.epa.gov/region01/grants/healthycommunities.html or contact 
Sandra Padula at (617) 918-1797 for more information.

K. Multiple Proposals

    State organizations within one state may submit more than one 
proposal if the proposals are for different projects. However, no more 
than one grant will be awarded to a state during the same fiscal year. 
State organizations are

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encouraged to collaborate with joint proposals under this solicitation 
that is focused on bringing environment and health departments together 
to address environmental triggers of childhood asthma.

L. Eligible Expenses

    (1) Salaries/fringe;
    (2) Travel;
    (3) Communications;
    (4) Equipment rental;
    (5) Indirect overhead;
    (6) Public outreach efforts (workshops, public forums, meeting 
expenses);
    (7) Office expenses;
    (8) Printing and copying;
    (9) Conference and promotional materials; and
    (10) Web site dissemination of information related to the project.

M. Ineligible Expenses

    (1) Capital improvements;
    (2) Construction projects;
    (3) Lobbying or political activities;
    (4) Formal education;
    (5) Entertainment;
    (6) Remediation and removal ;
    (7) Provision of medical equipment and supplies;
    (8) Air sampling; and
    (9) Grants solely for equipment purchases.

Section V. Funding Priorities

N. Solicitation Phases

    All states have a long history of working on childhood asthma. 
However, asthma has been seen traditionally as a health issue alone. In 
the course of the ECOS/ASTHO work with the states, states have become 
increasingly aware of the need for state environment and health 
agencies to develop collaboratively state strategies and actions to 
minimize environmental factors that contribute to asthma in children. 
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the ECOS/ASTHO state draft 
action agenda, Catching Your Breath, at http://www.astho.org/pubs/CatchingYourBreathReport.pdf to gain a full understanding of the work 
to date by the states.
    To help states progress regardless of where they are on the 
continuum, OCHP has divided this solicitation into two parts or 
``Phases,'' one for those states that are in the planning stages and 
one for states that are prepared to conduct demonstration projects to 
explore approaches to addressing the issues. These Phases are described 
below.

O. Funding Priorities and Sample Outcomes for Phase A Planning Projects

    Note: States Receiving Planning Funding from the Centers for 
Disease Control (CDC): In order to be eligible for EPA planning 
funds, you must demonstrate that the activities you propose 
represent gaps in your current CDC work plan. For example, you might 
discuss how EPA funds will substantially enhance your ability to 
address the environmental components of the planning process.

(1) Guiding Principles
    (a) Ensure that planning activities incorporate environmental 
factors relating to asthma.
    (b) Ensure that the results are presented in terms that are 
sensitive and appropriate to the diverse languages and cultures of 
their audience.
(2) Funding Priorities
    All planning proposals should include a strategic planning element 
that bridges state environment and health departments. Proposals may 
also focus on achieving results in one or more of the other Initiative 
areas listed below:
    (a) Strategic Planning: Draft a statewide plan for addressing the 
environmental components of childhood asthma. This may be accomplished 
via a state Asthma Summit, a statewide series of participatory local 
forums, and/or any other process that results in a detailed statewide 
plan. Explicitly outline how official approval of this plan will be 
achieved.

    Note: This strategic planning may be accomplished as a component 
of a larger state planning process to comprehensively address 
asthma. If the applicant is a CDC planning grant recipient, the 
strategic planning activities must substantially enhance the CDC-
funded process and address environmental factors.

    (b) Surveillance: Design a state level system to understand and 
uniformly track the burden of childhood asthma as it relates to the 
environment. This may include collection of environmental data as well 
as collection of health data. The surveillance plans could include a 
systematic evaluation of existing tracking mechanisms to identify data 
needs, best practices, information sharing opportunities, etc.
    (c) Coalition Building: Build effective partnerships and/or 
coalitions to communicate, coordinate, and share resources. These 
coalitions of groups could include coordinated outreach to targeted 
communities; economic development including access to funds for 
building renovations that promote healthy indoor environments for 
schools or child care centers, etc.
    (d) Institutionalize Environmental Management of Asthma: Develop a 
state policy/plan that integrates environmental management of asthma 
into asthma disease management programs offered to children covered 
under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program.
(3) Sample Outcomes/Results for Phase A Planning Projects
    (a) An Asthma Strategic Plan is developed and adopted by the state 
environmental and health organizations.
    (b) Coalition ``Charter'' is developed, detailing: membership 
responsibilities, bylaws, vision or mission statement, leadership 
responsibilities, and a budget (funding sources secured and allocated.)
    (c) An integrated tracking system is established that can be used 
meaningfully by both health professionals and environmental agencies.
    (d) A coalition is formed that facilitates the procurement of low 
cost materials for building renovations.

P. Funding Priorities and Sample Outcomes for Phase B Demonstration 
Projects

    Note: Phase B Demonstration Project funding is intended for the 
development and evaluation of new approaches and is expressly NOT to 
be used to execute ongoing state programs.

(1) Guiding Principles
    (a) Ensure that education, training, and outreach efforts are 
sensitive to and appropriately address the diverse languages and 
cultures of their audiences.
    (b) Data should be gathered, analyzed, and presented at the 
``smallest'' level possible--smallest geographic area, shortest 
possible time frame, smallest age range, etc.
    (c) Consider utilizing existing programs and materials from EPA and 
other sources prior to developing new tools. Examples of existing 
resources include: EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools, Smoke-free Home Pledge 
Campaign and public service announcement (PSA) and Asthma brochures, 
PSAs and media campaign.
(2) Funding Priorities
    Proposals should focus on achieving results in one or more of the 
Initiative areas listed below:
    (a) Collection, Integration and Use of Health and Environmental 
Data: Eligible activities include but are not limited to: Implementing 
new asthma surveillance system(s); designing/

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implementing needed environmental data gathering system(s); integrating 
existing health data and environmental data; analyzing health and 
environmental data; making the results of data collection available to 
the public;
    (b) Addressing Environmental Factors at Home: Eligible activities 
include but are not limited to: Coordinating with existing home 
assessment programs to include an asthma component; implementing 
effective approaches to eliminate children's exposure to environmental 
tobacco smoke such as EPA's Smoke-free Home Pledge Campaign; assisting 
families in recognizing and preventing/ eliminating five common indoor 
asthma triggers at home such as second-hand smoke, house dust mites, 
cockroaches, mold and animal dander; working with housing authorities 
and/or landlords to improve indoor environmental quality in low-income 
and rental housing; educating special audiences like the media and 
medical professionals on strategies for reducing environmental 
triggers; developing innovative approaches to fund and/or receive 
reimbursement for in-home interventions (education and mitigation 
techniques) through public (e.g. Medicaid and State Children's Health 
Insurance Programs) and/or private health insurance; etc.
    (c) Addressing Environmental Factors at Schools & Child Care 
Facilities: Eligible activities include but are not limited to: 
Implementing education programs, such as EPA's Indoor Air Quality Tools 
for Schools Program, for child care and school personnel on improving 
indoor environmental quality to minimize triggers; implementing state 
policies/plans to improve indoor environmental quality and 
environmental health in schools and/or child care facilities; 
developing and promoting state policies/plans to address existing 
environmental health problems and prevent new ones; developing and 
promoting state policies/plans to ensure proper building maintenance 
including funding needs; developing and promoting state policies/plans 
for environmentally sound school design and construction protocols; 
increasing the efficacy of coordinated school health teams to address 
the needs of students with asthma; etc.
    (d) Addressing Outdoor Environmental Factors: Eligible activities 
include but are not limited to: Implementing steps to reduce children's 
exposure to diesel exhaust; investigating and/or disseminating findings 
about health risks associated with burning; investigating the 
connection between hazardous air pollutants and asthma; designing and 
implementing systems to forecast air quality (to help people take steps 
to protect their own health as well as reduce the activities that cause 
pollution); developing and disseminating guidelines for low pollen 
planting, especially in areas designed for use by children; etc.
(3) Sample Outputs and Outcomes for Asthma Projects
    (a) Number of households of children with asthma that have reported 
reduced exposure to indoor asthma triggers.
    (b) Number and names of public health organizations (HMOs, 
corporate wellness programs, hospitals) urging education and action to 
reduce the exposure of people with asthma to indoor asthma triggers, 
action on secondhand tobacco smoke exposure, and/or IAQ management in 
schools.
    (c) Decreased numbers of: ER visits, in-patient hospital 
admissions, sick visits to primary care physicians for asthma, school 
days missed, rescue medication uses.
    (d) Increased numbers of: symptom-free days.
    (e) Estimated cost savings.

Section VI. Application Process

Q. Application Process

    The application process involves two stages:
    Stage 1: Letter of Intent (up to 2 pages). Letters of Intent 
submitted to EPA will be screened for basic eligibility and 
administrative responsiveness. Only those proposals satisfying all the 
basic requirements will be invited to submit a Full Proposal.
    Stage 2: Full Proposal submission (preceded by opportunity to 
participate in optional Pre-proposal Assistance Call).

    Note: See section VIII. Requirement for Letters of Intent and 
Full Proposals for the content and formats required for the Letters 
of Intent and Full Proposal.

Section VII. Requirements for Letters of Intent and Full Proposals

R. Stage 1: Letter of Intent (Up to two pages)

    A Letter of Intent is due via e-mail to [email protected] on 
or before August 11, 2003. Letters of Intent should have an e-mail 
subject line starting with Letter of Intent: followed by your Project 
Title. A sample Letter of Intent is provided as an attachment to this 
solicitation. A copy also can be found at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/grants.htm. Your Letter of Intent must provide 
all of the following information:
    (Section 1) Contact information for your organization:
    (a) Name of your organization;
    (b) Project name;
    (c) Name of authorized representative;
    (c) Address;
    (d) Phone number and fax number;
    (e) E-mail address;
    (d) Web site, if any.
    (Section 2) A brief description of how your agency proposes to 
collaborate with sister state agency(ies).
    (Section 3) One page project summary including:
    (a) Description of the organizational unit which will lead/oversee 
the project;
    (b) A brief summary statement that articulates the project's 
concept and states its goals and objectives;
    (c) Identification of the funding priority addressed by the 
project;
    (d) A brief summary of the method that will be used to achieve the 
project goals; and
    (e) Summary of the kinds of activities that will be funded by the 
project.
    (Section 4) Indication of Interest in Participating in optional 
Pre-application Assistance Call and Special Needs:
    (a) Indication if you would like to participate in the September 3, 
2003, Pre-application Assistance Call if your Letter of Intent is 
accepted.

    Note: Letters of Intent submitted to EPA will be screened for 
basic eligibility and administrative responsiveness. Only those 
proposals satisfying all the basic requirements will be invited to 
submit a Full Proposal; and

    (b) Indication of any special needs to permit participation on such 
a call.
    (Section 5) Nomination of questions to be answered on the call.

S. Stage 2: Full Proposals (Including Optional Pre-Proposal Assistance 
Conference Call)

    Note: If your Letter of Intent is accepted, you will be invited 
to participate in Stage 2.

    (1) Optional Pre-proposal Assistance Conference Call. An optional 
Pre-proposal Assistance Conference Call will be held on September 3, 
2003, to answer any questions prospective eligible applicants may have. 
If you indicate in your Letter of Intent a desire to participate in the 
Pre-proposal Assistance Conference Call and your Letter of Intent is 
found to be eligible, you will be emailed instructions for 
participating in the conference call.

    Note: Applicants should periodically check the Web page below 
for updated information to applicants (e.g. posting of some Qs&As 
from Letters of Intent). Questions and answers from the September 3, 
2003, Pre-

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application Assistance Call will be posted by September 10, 2003, 
at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/grants.htm.

    (2) Full Proposal (You must complete both (a) the EPA Application 
Kit for Federal Assistance and (b) the Work Plan Proposal Narrative as 
described below).
(a) EPA Application Kit for Federal Assistance
    The EPA Application Kit for Federal Assistance can be obtained on 
the Web at http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/grants.htm 
or http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/how_to_apply.htm. The second Web 
site also contains information on completing SF-424A Budget Forms and 
Understanding Cost Principles for a Federal grant.
(b) Work Plan Proposal Narrative
    In addition to the standard forms contained in the EPA Application 
Kit for Federal Assistance, you must submit a Work Plan Proposal 
Narrative of no greater than 10 pages (plus appendices) that follows 
exactly the format outlined below. Text may be single or double spaced, 
no smaller than 12 point font. The pages must be letter sized (8\1/2\ x 
11 inches). Margins are not specified. Proposals must be legible. This 
format is the same whether you are applying for support for a Phase 1 
Planning Project or a Phase 2 Demonstration Project.
    (i.) Contact Information Sheet (1 pg.): For the project lead and 
each collaborating partner, include contact name, organization, title, 
address, phone, fax, and e-mail.
    (ii.) One Page Project Summary (1 pg.):
    Note: All proposals should be well explained and easily read. 
Information should be clear and concise, well organized and contain no 
unnecessary jargon. Content should include:
    (aa) Description of the organizational unit that will lead/oversee 
the project.
    (bb) Brief summary statement that articulates the project's concept 
and states its goals and objectives.
    (cc) Identification of the funding priority addressed by the 
project.
    (dd) Brief summary of the method that will be used to achieve the 
project goals.
    (ee) Summary of the kinds of activities that will be funded by the 
project.
    (iii.) Project Description (Up to 5 pages): Describe precisely what 
your project will achieve. In your narrative, be sure to answer these 
questions in this order:
    (aa) Who will conduct the project? What experience do the partners 
have in addressing environmental triggers of childhood asthma? What is 
the nature of your on-going programs addressing children's 
environmental health. What will be the roles and responsibilities of 
each partner? Who will be affected by and/or benefit from your project? 
How will they be targeted, identified, and recruited?
    (bb) Why is it needed?
    (cc) What is the purpose of your project? Explain your strategy--
your goals and objectives, the specific activities you will conduct to 
achieve them, and what your projected outcomes will be. How will you 
evaluate your results and your level of success? Describe any 
mechanisms for tracking Initiative outputs (e.g. how many households 
were educated, how many homes were assessed, in how many homes were 
actions taken), and evaluating Initiative outcomes (e.g. the 
effectiveness of the education and mitigation methods, the level of 
increased awareness); How will the project be sustained beyond the life 
of the EPA grant?
    (dd) How will project deliverables and/or findings be presented/
packaged to be shared with and replicated by other states?
    (ee) All projects should be completed prior to February 1, 2006. 
Outline a detailed time line/responsibility matrix to link your project 
activities to a clear project schedule. Indicate at what point over the 
months of your budget period each action, project outcome or milestone 
occurs and indicate which partner is responsible for each action.
    (iv.) Project Budget (1-2 pgs.): Articulate how funds will be used 
for specific items and activities. Your budget should include some if 
not all of the following major categories of expenses: personnel 
(salaries and fringe), travel, equipment, supplies, contract costs, and 
indirect costs.
    (aa) Eligible Expenses: salaries/fringe, travel, communications, 
equipment rental, indirect overhead, public outreach efforts 
(workshops, public forums, meeting expenses), office expenses, printing 
and copying (conference and promotional materials), and web site 
dissemination of information related to the project.
    (bb) Ineligible Expenses: capital expenditures, construction 
expenses, lobbying, endowments, formal educational expenses, 
entertainment, remediation and removal expenses, medical equipment and 
supplies, air sampling, and equipment purchases as the sole focus of 
the assistance agreement.
    (v.) Appendices: As appropriate and relevant, include letters of 
commitment from major partners and resumes for key personnel as 
appendices. Be sure letters of commitment focus on the partner's role 
in the proposed project. Do not include any materials other than 
letters of commitment and resumes.

T. Contents of Full Proposal Package

    To support the EPA review process, the proposal must contain eight 
hard copy sets of the following materials in the order listed below:
    (1) Completed EPA Application Kit for Federal Assistance and;
    (2) Work Plan Proposal Narrative consisting of:
    (a) Contact Information Sheet;
    (b) Project Summary;
    (c) Project Description;
    (d) Project Budget; and
    (e) Appendices exactly as defined in Section VIII. Requirements of 
Letters of Intent and Full Proposals.
    Please do not submit additional items. Unnecessary materials (cover 
letters, un-requested forms or binders create extra burden for the 
reviewers and failure to follow instructions may lower your score.

Section VIII. Review and Selection Process

U. Scoring (Maximum Score: 110 Points)

    (1) Reviewers will score each Full Proposal based on how well it:
    (a) Demonstrates substantive collaborative partnerships between 
state environment and health agencies and demonstrates that project 
organizations and personnel have the skills and experience necessary to 
ensure success. (25 points)
    (b) Demonstrates that project will address a clear and previously 
unmet need and identifies who will benefit from the project. (15 
points)
    (c) Establishes reasonable/realistic goals and objectives 
(including reasonable time frames); Clearly outlines a cogent strategy 
for achieving, tracking, and demonstrating meaningful results; Outlines 
how results and the level of project success will be evaluated; and 
outlines how the project will be sustained beyond the funding cycle. 
(40 points)
    (d) Outlines a clear and cost effective budget for proposed 
project. (15 points)
    (e) Provides a useful mechanism for project results, such as 
product deliverables and lessons learned, to be shared and applied in 
other states. (5 points)
    (2) Bonus Points (Up to 10): Reviewers have the flexibility to 
provide up to 10 bonus points for exceptional project qualities in 
accordance with one or more of the following principles of quality and 
efficacy:

[[Page 39083]]

    (a) Applicant's proposed work targets disproportionately impacted 
(with respect to asthma severity or incidence) children.
    (b) Applicant's materials are consistent with EPA guidance and 
recommendations. In particular, applicant outlines educational 
materials and mitigation methods for second-hand tobacco smoke, house 
dust mites, cockroaches, molds, and animal dander that are compatible 
with the guidance contained in EPA's asthma brochure, A Clear Your Home 
of Asthma Triggers: Your Children will Breathe Easier http://www.epa.gov/asthma/resources.html and the findings and recommendations 
contained in the January 2000 National Academy of Sciences report on 
asthma, A Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures http://books.nap.edu/catalog/9610.html.
    (c) Projects focused upon ambient air pollutants and asthma should 
be consistent with EPA guidance that can be accessed through http://www.epa.gov/air/topics/comap.html.
    (d) Use of education materials reflecting current standards for 
conducting environmental health or public health education and outreach 
activities, particularly with respect to motivating behavioral changes 
in low-literacy, low-income, and disproportionately impacted 
populations. (This is not relevant for Phase A Planning Projects).
    (e) Proposals including extraordinarily compelling examples and 
other strengths noted by the reviewers who evaluate and compare 
proposals.

V. Proposal Selection

    Letters of Intent submitted to EPA will be screened for basic 
eligibility and administrative responsiveness. Only those proposals 
satisfying all the basic requirements will be invited to submit a Full 
Proposal.
    Full Proposals submitted (by invitation) to EPA will be evaluated 
screened again to confirm basic eligibility and administrative 
responsiveness, especially completeness. Those Full Proposals 
satisfying administrative requirements will enter the full evaluation 
phase review process. Full Proposals will be evaluated based upon the 
quality of their work plans. Reviewers conducting the screening and 
evaluation will be EPA Headquarters, Regional and Program Office 
personnel. At the conclusion of the evaluation phase, the reviewers 
will score Full Proposals based upon the scoring system described in 
detail above in section VIII of this solicitation.

W. Final Selections

    After individual projects are evaluated and scored by reviewers, as 
described above, EPA officials from Headquarters and Regions will 
select a diverse range of finalists from the highest ranking Full 
Proposals. In making the final selections, EPA will take into account 
geographic distribution.

X. Notification to Applicants

    Applicants will receive an email notification of receipt of the 
Letter of Intent not more than 7 business days after receipt by the 
Agency. Applicants with successful Letters of Intent will be invited on 
or before August 22, 2003 if they are deemed eligible to participate in 
the optional Pre-application Conference Call and to submit a Full 
Proposal. Applicants will receive an email notification of receipt of 
the Full Proposal within one month of receipt by the Agency. Usually 
within six months of application, EPA will contact finalists to request 
additional federal forms and other information as recommended by 
reviewers. Rejection Letters are usually sent within 6 months after 
submission of the Full Proposal.

Section IX. Grantee Responsibilities

Y. Responsible Officials

    Projects must be performed by the applicant or by a person 
satisfactory to the applicant and EPA. All proposals must identify any 
person other than the applicant who will assist in carrying out the 
project. These individuals are responsible for receiving the grant 
award agreement from EPA and ensuring that all grant conditions are 
satisfied. Recipients are responsible for the successful completion of 
the project.

Z. Incurring Costs

    No pre-award costs should be incurred by the recipient. Grant 
recipients may begin incurring allowable costs on the start date 
identified in the EPA grant award agreement. Activities must be 
completed and funds spent within the time frames specified in the award 
agreement. EPA grant funds may be used only for the purposes set forth 
in the grant agreement and must conform to the Federal cost principles 
contained in OMB Circular A-87; A-122; and A-21, as appropriate. 
Ineligible costs will be reduced from the final grant award.

AA. Reports and Work Products

    Specific financial and other reporting requirements will be 
identified in the EPA grant award agreement. Grant recipients must 
submit formal quarterly progress reports, unless otherwise instructed 
in the award agreement. Also, two copies of the final report and two 
copies of all work products must be sent to the EPA project officer 
within 90 days after the expiration of the budget period. This 
submission will be accepted as the final requirement, unless the EPA 
project officer notifies you that changes must be made.

Section X. Other Information and Shipping

BB. Resources

    (1) Please visit our Web site for information on children's 
environmental health issues and these grant materials at http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp and http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/grants.htm, respectively.
    (2) We strongly suggest that applicants examine the ECOS/ASTHO 
state draft action agenda, Catching Your Breath, http://www.astho.org/pubs/CatchingYourBreathReport.pdf for background on State/asthma 
activities.
    (3) First time recipients of Federal funds are encouraged to 
familiarize themselves with the regulations applicable to assistance 
agreements found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) title 40, 
part 31 for State and local government entities. See http://www.epa.gov/docs/epacfr40/chapt-I.info/subch-B.html. You may also 
obtain a copy of the CFR title 40, part 31 at your local U.S. 
Government Bookstore, or through the U.S. Government Printing Office. 
This solicitation notice contains all the information and forms 
necessary to prepare a Letter of Intent. If your project is selected as 
a finalist after the evaluation process is concluded, EPA will provide 
you with additional Federal forms needed to process your Full Proposal.

CC. Regulatory References

    EPA's general assistance regulations at 40 CFR part 31 apply to 
state governments.

DD. Federal Procedures

    (1) Optional Pre-proposal Assistance Conference Call for eligible 
applicants based upon EPA review of the Letter of Intent has been 
scheduled for September 3, 2003. Eligible applicants who indicated in 
their Letter of Intent a desire to participate on the call will be 
advised via email of call-in procedures prior to the call.
    (2) Dispute Resolution Process: Procedures are in 40 CFR 30.63 and 
40 CFR 31.70.

[[Page 39084]]

EE. Shipping and Mailing Addresses and Information

    Applicants who need more information about this grant or 
clarification about specific requirements of this Solicitation Notice, 
should periodically check the Web page http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/grants.htm for posted information (e.g., 
administrative clarification and responses to Q's & A's from Letters of 
Intent and participate, if eligible, in the Pre-proposal Assistance 
Conference Call.)

    Note: To ensure fair and open competition, EPA will answer no 
questions except on the pre-application conference call.

    Questions and answers from the September 3, 2003, Pre-application 
Assistance Call will be posted within a week of the Assistance Call on 
the OCHP Web page at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/grants.htm.
    If paper copies of the EPA Application Kit for Federal Assistance 
are required, contact Bettina B. Fletcher at 202-564-2646.
    Letters of Intent should be e-mailed to: [email protected].
    Full Proposals If Invited By EPA--Due to on-going mail delays in 
the Washington, DC area, applicants who are invited to submit a Full 
Proposal are strongly encouraged to send original Full Proposals signed 
by an authorized representative of their state organization by way of a 
private shipping company (e.g., Federal Express, UPS, DHL, or courier) 
to the attention of: Bettina Fletcher, U.S. EPA, Office of Children's 
Health Protection, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW., Mail Code 1107A, Room 
2512 Ariel Rios North, Washington, DC 20004.
    If Full Proposals are mailed, send them to:Bettina Fletcher, U.S. 
EPA, Office of Children's Health Protection, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, 
NW., Mail Code 1107A, Room 2512 Ariel Rios North, Washington, DC 20460.

Sample Letter of Intent Summary Sheet (Up to 2 Pages)

    All state organizations who intend to apply should complete this 
form and return it to EPA via e-mail to [email protected] by 
August 11, 2003.

Section 1

Organization Name:
Project Name:
Applicant Address: --------------
Street City State Zip Code
Applicant Phone Number:
Applicant Email Address:
Authorized Representative of the Organization:
Applicant FAX Number:
Applicant Web Site (if any)

Section 2

    Brief description of your agency and how your agency proposes to 
collaborate with sister state agency(ies) in this project.

Section 3

Project Summary (Not to Exceed One Page)
Description of the organizational unit that will lead/oversee the 
project:
Brief summary statement that articulates the project's concept and 
states its goals and objectives:
Identification of the funding priority addressed by the project:
Brief summary of the method that will be used to achieve the project 
goals:
Summary of the kind of activities that will be funded by the project:

Section 4

    Indicate below whether your agency would like to participate in the 
September 3, 2003, Pre-application Assistance Call if your letter of 
intent is found to be eligible. Questions and answers from the 
September 3, 2003, Pre-application Assistance Call will be posted by 
September 10, 2003, at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/grants.htm.
    [sbull] Yes, I would like to participate in the September 3, 2003, 
Pre-application Assistance Call if my Letter of Intent is found by EPA 
to be eligible.
    [sbull] No, I decline to participate in the September 3, 2003, Pre-
proposal Assistance Call if my Letter of Intent is found by EPA to be 
acceptable.
    [sbull] Please describe any type of support (e.g., Telephone for 
the Deaf (TDD) number and/or Federal Information Relay (FIR)) you 
require to permit participation in the Pre-application Assistance 
Conference Call.

Section 5

    To help us prepare for the best possible Pre-Application Assistance 
Call, please submit in advance any questions you have at this time 
regarding this application process. Additional questions may also be 
posed on the call.

    Dated: June 24, 2003.
Joanne Rodman,
Acting Director, Office of Children's Health Protection.
[FR Doc. 03-16583 Filed 6-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P